Speak Out: Are Recent Water-Related Tragedies Preventable?

May is National Water Safety Month, but it's turned into a deadly and tragic month for at least three Charleston area families. 

A teenager, swimming at Sullivans Island, has died after rescue crews worked to save him, and two Goose Creek men died after separate boating along the Cooper River. 

The Centers for Disease Control reported that, every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. 

According to the American Red Cross, swimming and boating can be made safer. The nonprofit recommends swimmers only swim when a lifeguard is present, and boaters should always where their life jackets. 

Here are swimmer safety tips from the American Red Cross

In 2012, there were more than 650 fatalities related to boating incidents nationwide, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Last year, April was the deadliest month, while May and July saw the fewest boating fatalities. Nearly 90 percent of boating accident victims were not wearing life jackets. 

Speak Out: Could these deaths have been prevented? Is more education needed for the general public?